The Maxine Smith Leadership Series is a set of programs aimed at cultivating leadership within Tennessee’s public higher education system. Named after Maxine Smith, a pioneering figure in the pursuit of educational opportunity, the series equips both emerging and established leaders with the knowledge, skills, and connections essential for success in Tennessee higher education.
Maxine Smith’s legacy is at the heart of the series. As a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents from 1996 to 2006, she played a critical role in desegregating public schools in Memphis and was a lifelong advocate for expanding access to education. Her journey, from being denied admission to Memphis State University due to segregation to serving as a devoted Regent, exemplifies her unwavering dedication to student achievement and creating inclusive opportunities.
The Maxine Smith Leadership Series continues her vision by focusing on leadership development for those committed to improving the state's higher education system. Through comprehensive training, mentorship, and real-world application, participants gain the tools needed to navigate and address the complex challenges facing Tennessee’s colleges and universities. By honoring Maxine Smith’s passion for education and equal opportunity, the series upholds her legacy of advancing institutions and enhancing outcomes for all students.
About Maxine A. Smith
Maxine Smith was a lifelong advocate for education and civil rights, whose impact on education in Tennessee remains profound. Born on October 31, 1929, in Memphis, Tennessee, Smith earned her B.A. in biology from Spelman College and an M.S. in French from Middlebury College. Despite being denied admission to Memphis State University in 1957 due to segregation, she channeled this experience into a career devoted to expanding educational opportunities for all.
From 1996 to 2006, Smith served as a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), where she played a pivotal role in advancing higher education policy and advocating for student achievement. Her dedication to opening doors for underserved communities was central to her work, including her involvement in the Maxine Smith Fellows Program, which aimed to develop leadership in higher education.
Smith’s contributions extended beyond her time at the TBR. She helped desegregate Memphis public schools, served on the Memphis Board of Education for over two decades, and was instrumental in the election of Memphis’ first African American school superintendent. Maxine Smith's legacy in both education and civil rights continues to inspire efforts toward more inclusive opportunities in higher education.
Maxine Smith Leadership Series Programs
Chancellor’s Fellowship
The Chancellor’s Fellowship is a cohort-based initiative designed to further enhance the leadership capabilities of senior administrators within The College System of Tennessee. This program deepens participants’ understanding of education and workforce policy at both the system and state levels while strengthening a leadership pipeline equipped to advance into executive roles within higher education.
Program Objectives
- Facilitate leadership development through self-reflection, skill-building, and practical application.
- Provide comprehensive insights into higher education policy and practice, covering all facets of the post-secondary education system.
- Inspire innovation and cultivate strategic thinking to shape the future of higher education institutions.
- Foster statewide networks to encourage collaboration and promote the dissemination of best practices and innovative approaches.
Participation
The program is designed for higher education professionals within the College System of Tennessee who are seeking to expand their understanding of institutional operations and the broader higher education environment, as preparation for taking on higher-level responsibilities within the enterprise.
Nomination/Application
We are currently not accepting nominations/applications. Please check back for future opportunities.
Emerging Leaders Fellowship
The Emerging Leaders Fellowship is designed to cultivate the leadership potential of rising professionals and administrators within The College System of Tennessee. This program enhances leadership capacity across community and technical colleges, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and influence the higher education landscape.
Program Objectives
- Develop essential leadership skills, including communication, decision-making, and team management.
- Provide a foundational understanding of higher education operations, governance, and policy within the TBR system.
- Encourage innovative thinking and problem-solving to address current and future challenges in higher education.
- Build networks and collaborative relationships to support professional growth and institutional effectiveness.
Participation
This program is designed for professionals within the College System of Tennessee who are looking to broaden their leadership capabilities and prepare for greater responsibilities in senior-level roles.
Nomination/Application
We are currently not accepting nominations/applications. Please check back for future opportunities.
Faculty Innovation Fellowship
The Faculty Innovation Fellowship selects faculty members each year to develop student success innovations grounded in high-quality research. Participants will conduct research on student outcomes, collaborate with their institution’s research office, and partner with the TBR Research & Data team to analyze data and design pilot projects aligned with their college’s strategic goals. Additionally, participants will provide valuable insights into the impact of state and system policies on student outcomes.
Nomination/Application
We are currently not accepting nominations/applications. Please check back for future opportunities.
History of the Maxine Smith Fellows
The Maxine Smith Leadership Series builds off the legacy of the Maxine Smith Fellows Program. The fellows program was originally launched as a system office initiative of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and renamed in 2002 to honor the remarkable contributions of Maxine Smith to both the higher education system and the state of Tennessee. A tireless advocate for civil rights and education reform, Maxine played an instrumental role in shaping opportunities for underrepresented groups. Her involvement with the program, which extended until her passing in 2013, underscored her deep commitment to its success. She attended nearly every meeting and event, offering invaluable guidance and sharing her personal story of perseverance and leadership.
The program began as part of the Geier v. Tennessee desegregation initiative, which sought to address racial disparities in higher education within the state. Following the dismissal of the Geier lawsuit in 2006, the Maxine Smith Fellows Program continued to operate as a testament to TBR’s ongoing dedication to fostering diversity in leadership. The program was a vital avenue for increasing senior-level leadership opportunities for underrepresented faculty and administrative personnel across Tennessee’s public higher education system. Maxine Smith herself viewed the program as a significant part of her life’s work, and it now stands as a central part of her enduring legacy.
Program Impact
Throughout its existence, the Maxine Smith Fellows Program cultivated 15 cohorts and welcomed over 150 fellows into its ranks. Among its distinguished alumni, several went on to serve as presidents at TBR institutions or other colleges and universities, showcasing the program’s success in preparing leaders for senior and executive roles in higher education.
Class of 2021
LaNeeca Williams
Quincy Jenkins
Johnny Wyatt
Kiana Johnson
Adrian Montague
Brelinda Johnson
Erica Lee
Barbara Scales
Tongai Maodzwa
Antija Allen
Tanya Shephard
Sean Chism
Arlene Nicholas-Phillips
Cheryl Seay
Charria Campbell
Eric Stokes
Deidre Kyle
Class of 2019
Sheraine Gilliam-Holmes
Anita Polk-Conley
Meredeth McCoy-McCraw
Hadii Mamudu
Jamica Hines
Robert Jackson
Diane Jackson
Gwendolyn Sutton
Cindy Beverley
Shirleatha Lee
Class of 2018
Dannelle Whiteside
Rachael Falu
Joejuana Morton
Cerrone Foster
Sidney-Anthony McPhee
Nikita Ashford-Ashworth
Jyuana Martin
Thomas Graham
V. Latosha Dexter
Melva Black
Class of 2016
Marcus Hayes
Martina Harris
De'Marcus Jackson
Yuketa Hall
Arnold Nyarambi
Sidney Hill
Tachaka Hollins
Jame’l Hodges
Harry Ingle
Alfred Hall
Class of 2015
Tiffany Bellafant Steward
Fonda Fields
Willie Thomas
Maureen Baksh-Griffin
Patricia Harlan
Sharon Brown-Smith
Wayne Simpson
Francis Canedo
Brittany Mosby
Joshua Conway
Cassandra Anderson
Alena Allen
Tonya Daniels
Class of 2014
Kisha Thomas
Jasmine Renner
Patrick Davis, Sr.
Kim Sokoya
Dayna Smithers
Yolanda Williams
Cheryl Green
Melissa Irvin
Jeff Wilson
Michael Torrence
Class of 2013
Evelyn Mobley
Tracey Wright
Shelley Manns
Daryl Carter
Countance Anderson
Jonell Hinsey
Michael Boyd
Henrietta Kellum Lusk
Patrick Wade
Tiffany Cox
Ladrica Menson-Furr
Roxanne Bowen
Class of 2012
Henderson Hill
Lorianne Mitchell
Angela King Taylor
Melbia Jackson
Derrick Hines
Michelle Viera
Demetria Mells
KB Turner
Kenny Yarbrough
Class of 2011
Brian Johnson
Sharon Bowen
Regina Burden
Linda Calvert
Danita Macon
JacQuene Rainey
Class of 2010
Moniqueka Gold
Julius Dodds
Vincent Windrow
Ahmad Taheri
Tonya Braden
Rebecca Dixon
Ladon Jones
Kenyatta Lovett
Class of 2008
David Davenport
Felicia Lee
Angela Radford Lewis
Gayle Wood
Mani Hull
Monique Robinson
Charles Menifield
Class of 2007
Gail Robinson-Oturu
Yousif Elhindi
Daphne Henderson
Luther Buie
Forrestine Williams
Dwayne Scott
Gail Russell
Deborah Reed
Willie Huffman
Tracey Carter
Robert Owens, II
Class of 2006
Carolyn Beverly
Cecelia Johnson
Keith Johnson
Jacqueline Johnson
Linda J. Theus
Jerry Redmond
Jewell Winn
Shanna Jackson
Nicole Cardwell-Hampton
Class of 2005
Mary Knaff
Christa Martin
Joanne Flowers
Marva Lucus
Harriette Bias-Insignares
Sandra Keith
Linda Spears
Tammy Reynolds
Waldon Hagan
Lavonnie Perry Claybon
Dawn DeVeaux
Class of 2004
Reginald Wooden
Diby Kouadio
Youlanda Jones
Linda Clark
Raholanda White
Vivian Martin
Odell Fearn
Yolanda Mathews
Elwood Watson